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Topic: U320 interior light switch will not move. (Read 708 times) previous topic - next topic

U320 interior light switch will not move.

Light switch over the sink area next to switch that works florescent over sink. Switch is not working and stuck. Will not rock or operate. Foretravel has replaced once. Prior owner once. Switch would get hot and quit. Before replacing switch again, any ideas on what the problem is? Also, the porch light will come on sometimes when you turn on switch and then not go off with you turn off. Sometimes will come on by itself. I wonder if related?

Thanks,  David West
David West
2001 U320 40'

Re: U320 interior light switch will not move.

Reply #1 –
Quote from: dwest –
Light switch over the sink area next to switch that works florescent over sink. Switch is not working and stuck. Will not rock or operate. Foretravel has replaced once. Prior owner once. Switch would get hot and quit.

I wonder if there's something amiss with the light fixture (particularly the ballast).  Switch should not get hot unless there's too much current for what it's rated.

Quote from: dwest –
Also, the porch light will come on sometimes when you turn on switch and then not go off with you turn off. Sometimes will come on by itself.

The porch light is controlled (if like ours) by an Intellitec module - it's supposed to turn the light on when you touch the metal part of the door handle.  Water getting into the handle can cause erratic behavior (and failure of the Intellitec module).

Michelle
Learn every day, but especially from the experiences of others. It's cheaper!  - John C. Bogle

2000 U320 36' non-slide / WildEBeest Rescue
2003 U320

Re: U320 interior light switch will not move.

Reply #2 –
Quote from: Steve & Michelle –
I wonder if there's something amiss with the light fixture (particularly the ballast).  Switch should not get hot unless there's too much current for what it's rated.
If I understood the original statement, the failing switch is for the incandescent puck lights rather than the fluorescent lamp. It does indeed sound like the switch is overloaded. Does the switch operate any lamps other than the two puck lights over the sink?
J D Stevens
1997 U295 CAI 36' Build #5085
2002 Subaru Outback
Motorcade 16869
Bellville, TX

Re: U320 interior light switch will not move.

Reply #3 –
I'd be tempted to pull the switch out of the circuit and put an ammeter in just to see what the current draw really is. Then I'd pull those two puck lights and see what their draw is. If there is a difference it means that something else is pulling on that circuit.

You mentioned the porch light coming on when that switch is turned on. You might want to trace the wiring to that light to see if it comes anywhere near the wiring for your misbehaving switch and lights.

Also, make sure that you actually have the correct switch. When you know what the switch is supposed to handle from your measurements then you can buy a switch that will handle more than that load. You wouldn't be the first person to have the wrong switch, and you certainly won't be the last.

What about fuses/circuit breakers? Any of them tripping when this switch misbehaves?

Re: U320 interior light switch will not move.

Reply #4 –
Michele,

Are you refering to the porch light over the door (yellow) lense? That is the one I'm talking about. I never knew it could operate from touching metal door area? Does it also go back off after a time?

David
David West
2001 U320 40'

Re: U320 interior light switch will not move.

Reply #5 –
David,
 
I will go down the trail of checking currents draws. Good idea. With regard to the switch, Foretravel replaced once at their shop and prior owner bought one and replaced. Hard to think switches were either wrong or bad. But, stranger things have happened. Will advise when we learn more, thanks.

David West
David West
2001 U320 40'

Re: U320 interior light switch will not move.

Reply #6 –
Quote from: dwest –
Michele,

Are you refering to the porch light over the door (yellow) lense? That is the one I'm talking about. I never knew it could operate from touching metal door area? Does it also go back off after a time?

David
I will bust in and answer the question since Michelle answered the same question for me a long time ago. Yes, if the controller and light are working properly, touching the metal mount at the base of the clear acrylic grab bar (hand hold) on the outside of the coach near the door handle will turn on the porch light for about one minute. We find it handy for lighting the area when we are fumbling for keys or looking for the step in the dark.

Water on the area will cause the light to come on also. My understanding is that too much water in the wrong place in the handle may cause the controller to fail. Shortly after we bought the coach, I pulled the handle apart, replaced the bulb, cleaned up contacts, and used a bit of silicone caulk to protect the interior parts from water.
J D Stevens
1997 U295 CAI 36' Build #5085
2002 Subaru Outback
Motorcade 16869
Bellville, TX

Re: U320 interior light switch will not move.

Reply #7 –
Quote from: dwest –
Michele,

Are you refering to the porch light over the door (yellow) lense? That is the one I'm talking about. I never knew it could operate from touching metal door area? Does it also go back off after a time?

Ah, Dave Stevens beat me to it ;)

The module can also fail if you have a static discharge when you touch the metal part of the handle.  That's how ours failed.

Michelle
Learn every day, but especially from the experiences of others. It's cheaper!  - John C. Bogle

2000 U320 36' non-slide / WildEBeest Rescue
2003 U320

Re: U320 interior light switch will not move.

Reply #8 –
Quote from: dwest –
Are you refering to the porch light over the door (yellow) lense? That is the one I'm talking about. I never knew it could operate from touching metal door area? Does it also go back off after a time?

Touching the base of the outside door handle (just to the left of the door, used to help support yourself as you climb into the coach) lights the yellow "porch" light over the door. It does go out after a few minutes. It's very handy at night!!!

Craig
1993 U225 36' Unihome GV with PACBRAKE exhaust retarder, Banks Stinger and Solar Panels.
Toad: 1999 Jeep Wrangler 2-door soft-top.

"No one has ever had to evacuate a city because the solar panels broke."

Re: U320 interior light switch will not move.

Reply #9 –
What a nice feature. I kept wondering how that light was coming on. Thank everyone for clearing that up,


David West
David West
2001 U320 40'

Re: U320 interior light switch will not move.

Reply #10 –
Quote from: dwest –
What a nice feature. I kept wondering how that light was coming on. Thank everyone for clearing that up,

Sometimes when I'm working at the shop and walk past the coach I'll touch that handle just to say "hello" and watch the yellow light say "hi" back. :D

Craig
1993 U225 36' Unihome GV with PACBRAKE exhaust retarder, Banks Stinger and Solar Panels.
Toad: 1999 Jeep Wrangler 2-door soft-top.

"No one has ever had to evacuate a city because the solar panels broke."

Re: U320 interior light switch will not move.

Reply #11 –
Quote from: dwest –
What a nice feature. I kept wondering how that light was coming on. Thank everyone for clearing that up,

David West
After I fixed the porch light so it would come on, and fixed the door handle lamp so it would come on, the lights seemed to illuminate at odd times. I posted the question, "Is this a bug or a feature?" Michelle quickly responded with, "Feature," and explained the system. It is indeed a useful and "friendly" feature.
J D Stevens
1997 U295 CAI 36' Build #5085
2002 Subaru Outback
Motorcade 16869
Bellville, TX